Whiskey Howl was always a great live band. From the late sixties to the early eighties, various incarnations of this Toronto-based blues project, entertained Canadians from coast to coast with a performance philosophy that was as sadly rare then, as it is now - make real music, well. But what truly
Whiskey Howl was always a great live band. From the late sixties to the early eighties, various incarnations of this Toronto-based blues project, entertained Canadians from coast to coast with a performance philosophy that was as sadly rare then, as it is now - make real music, well. But what truly set Whiskey Howl apart, were the undeniable abilities of the band’s two lead vocalists: Michael Pickett, one of the world’s most accomplished “harp players” and the late John Witmer, arguably the most gifted R&B singer that the Canadian blues fraternity has ever produced. Shortly after releasing their first and only, major-label backed album, “Whiskey Howl” with Warner Brothers in 1972, the band broke up. On the evening of May 8th, the storied upstairs room at the El Mocambo was so completely packed with anxious, giddy fans; the bouncers on the street below were forced to turn away other band leaders who regularly worked the club. Word was out that a new, expanded version of Whiskey Howl was in town! Returning guitar wizard, John Tilden brought a more aggressive edge to the band’s overall sound. The rhythm section consisted of newcomers, drummer Ed White – more recently of Fathead - and the late Rick Burkett on bass. While other Whiskey Howl line-ups had included a single, saxophone soloist, this outfit boasted a tightly energetic horn section featuring the now ubiquitous John Johnson on tenor, baritone saxophonist Simon Wallis, and the impeccable trumpet stylings of Dave Dunlop. But if that weren’t enough, on this special night, the band also included an appearance by the Howlettes - a glorious, three-piece female chorus voiced by Kim and Betty Richardson, and Liz Tilden. The Whiskey Howl Big Band: Live at The El Mocambo is a copy of the original house mix, exactly the way the audience heard the first set, that night way back in ‘81.
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